222 CERCIS CANADENSIS. 



Ccrcis canadensis, thirty-five feet in licight, with a trunk three feet in circumfer- 

 ence. 



Soi/, Sifi/dfinji, tS'f- I-iko most of tlic TiOmiminacnc. this tree prefers a deep, 

 free, sandy soil, rather rich tliau poor, lu Britain, it will oidy thrive, and iM'come 

 a liandsome tree, hi sheltered situations, althoui^h it is regarded in France and 

 Germany as more Iiardy than the European species. It may ])e propagated from 

 seeds, which should he sown on lieat, early in spring, and if caretully treated, 

 they will come up the same season. 



Properties and Uses. The wood of the Cercis canadensis, like the European 

 species, is very liard, agreeably veined, or rather blotched or waved, with black, 

 green, and yellow spots, on a grayish ground. When seasoned, it is susceptible 

 of a beautiful polish, and weighs nearly fifty pounds to a cubic foot. The bark 

 and young branches of this tree are used to dye wool of a nankin colour. The 

 French Canadians use tlie flowers in salads and pickles; and, from their agree- 

 able, acid taste, they miglit be fried with butter or fritters, like those of the Cer- 

 cis siliquastrum; and the llowcr-buds and tender pods may be pickled in vinegar. 



